Send Help marks director Sam Raimi’s return to the horror genre where he first made a name for himself with the original Evil Dead films, and for the first time since Drag Me to Hell in 2009. So it should come as no surprise that expectations were sky high going in, especially with this being an original story where the shackles are well and truly off. Raimi absolutely takes advantage of that freedom in a wild and wacky return to form.

Send Help follows bullied office worker Linda (Rachel McAdams) who ends up stranded on a remote island with her pampered billionaire nightmare of a boss and grade A asshole Bradley (Dylan O’Brien) after a work trip goes disastrously wrong and their plane crashes into the ocean. Once ashore, they clash constantly while trying to decide what matters more, long term survival or finding a way to escape.

It’s not the most original premise, with Hollywood revisiting desert island survival stories on multiple occasions before, and comparisons to Triangle of Sadness feel inevitable. But in true Raimi fashion, he packs in more than enough surprises to keep viewers guessing where things are actually headed, delivering some genuinely unhinged twists and turns that keep you locked in throughout.

There is a noticeable tonal shift between the first and second half, triggered by one unexpectedly emotional and grounded scene that changes how both characters view the island. It also adds welcome depth to Linda and Bradley, bringing tenderness and context to their backstories and giving real insight into why they behave the way they do. It’s a thoughtful touch that gives the chaos more weight.

It’s also fascinating and hugely entertaining to watch Linda and Bradley’s mental states unravel over time. You can see the deterioration happening in real time, but the way it manifests in each of them couldn’t be more different, and that contrast only grows sharper as the story progresses.

From the outset, Send Help positions itself as a strong contender for the funniest film of the year. The dark comedy is frequently outrageous and often pushes things to extremes, but it consistently lands and draws big laughs. That comedic edge suits the story perfectly, especially as it barrels into a final act that is completely bonkers yet every bit as entertaining as what came before.

Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien are terrific on their own, but together they are even better. Their back and forth is sharp and effortless, and you can tell they are having great fun with these roles. They also show impressive range, switching between broad comedy and heavier dramatic beats without missing a step.

Danny Elfman’s score is outstanding. It complements nearly every scene and especially elevates the horror elements, which are handled very well in their own right. The scares may be used sparingly, but they are timed perfectly and catch you off guard.

Ultimately, Send Help is a wildly fun and very welcome return from Sam Raimi. It’s nothing like what I expected, but in all the best ways. You would be hard pressed to find anyone leaving the cinema without a huge grin on their face. It stands as one of the most enjoyable big screen experiences of the year so far.